Isoptera: Termites

Termites

These ubiquitous wood-feeding insects are social descendants of cockroaches. Colonies are composed of reproductive males and females, sterile soldiers, and immature stages that perform as workers. Below are images of termites from around the world.

Reticulitermes

The orange balls in the Reticulitermes nest are a fungus that assumes the size, texture, and chemical signature of termite eggs. Termites, being blind, can't tell the difference and care for the fungus as if they were their own eggs.
Bell Smith Springs, Illinois, USA